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Is Easton Stick the Ideal Jay Gruden Quarterback?

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2019 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Aaron Lesher Updated
NCAA Football: Division I Football Championship-Eastern Washington vs North Dakota State Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Easton Stick, QB
School: North Dakota State | Conference: Missouri Valley
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 221 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd-4th Round
NFL Comparison: Mitch Trubisky

College Statistics


Player Overview

Easton Stick dominated FCS football after Carson Wentz departed in 2016: he won two national championships in three years (two-time championship game MVP), named a three-time team captain, and started 52 games at quarterback... going 49-3 as a starter. He is the winningest player in FCS history.

Stick doesn’t have the raw size or arm strength of Wentz, but he’s plenty capable of making most throws, as well as being a dangerous threat with his legs — he’s racked up over 2,500 career rushing yards and scored 41 touchdowns. Stick graduated in 3 1⁄2 years summa cum laude and is halfway towards earning his MBA. His dad also played with the Cubs for a year. His head coach, Chris Klieman, said Stick is the best quarterback in college football.

Strengths

  • Clean mechanics and footwork, keeps his eyes downfield
  • Legit dual-threat player that can gain yards on both scrambles and designed runs
  • Adequate zip and velocity on throws with above-average accuracy; throws a pretty deep ball
  • Lots of experience in a pro-style system: frequently plays from under center with 5/7 step drops, play action
  • 49-3 as a starter, won two national championships

Weaknesses

  • Lacks prototypical height
  • Played against much lower level of competition than he will face in the NFL
  • Questionable decision-making/tries to fit ball into windows that are too tight. Doesn’t always see the field clearly

Media



How He Fits on the Redskins

I believe Easton Stick is the ideal quarterback for Jay Gruden’s personality and system. He’s accurate, takes care of the football, is experienced in a pro style offense, and a really good play action passer. He’s also deceptively dangerous running the ball, which Gruden has always utilized to add diversity to the offense. Most importantly, he brings a winning culture to the locker room :-)

His lack of elite traits in any one area, combined with the fact he played for an FCS program, means he will likely be available in the middle rounds of the draft. This situation is ideal for the Redskins as they’re hamstrung by Alex Smith’s contract but desperately need to add more talent at the quarterback position.

I really like Easton Stick’s fit on the Redskins both from a talent perspective and in light of their current quarterback situation. They can’t afford another free agent quarterback or the pressure of a first rounder, and the starter for 2019 is unclear. A cheap, developmental, mid-round player that could potentially step in Year 1 is the best option for a team in dire need of hope.

Grade

The Draft Profile team has created our own grading scale when writing up quarterback reports. The score is out of 100 and is meant to be an absolute scale with only very few prospects (i.e. Andrew Luck, John Elway) scoring close to perfect.


Easton Stick, QB — North Dakota State

  • Size: 6/10
  • Arm Talent: 6.5/10
  • Accuracy: 11.5/15
  • Mobility: 7.5/10
  • Mental Processing: 11/15
  • Mechanics: 8/10
  • Leadership: 11/15
  • Clutch: 12/15

Overall Grade: 73.5/100

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